# Why do old people drive so slow? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 11, 2002, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-old-people-drive-so-slow/108448 "2002-05-11T05:49:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kiz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7feea3/32.png) [@kiz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiz)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2002, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-old-people-drive-so-slow/108448/21 "2002-05-11T21:01:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bdgr \* > \*\*According to my father, who is a shrink, and a gradute school gerentology proff(actually, hes retired, he just teaches a couple of classes at baylor now), but he was head of Gerentology at St. Paul, its due to reflexes and eyesight. \*\* …not to mention fear of speed. I know several elderly people who are quite tentative when it comes to going anywhere over 40MPH, and yes, eyesight and reflexes might have a lot to do with it… ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2002, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-old-people-drive-so-slow/108448/22 "2002-05-11T22:33:56Z")
My father was a traveling salesman and I personally saw him peg the speedometer needle at 110 mph once, so he was not in the habit of poking along. He knew cars and he knew how they handled. He also knew his own limitations. After he passed age 70, he started driving more slowly, driving on the highway only when absolutely necessary, avoiding night driving, etc. It’s interesting to note that every accident he was involved in after he retired was in poor weather, and in every accident he was rear-ended by another car. ---
**Author:** ![bdgr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2002, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-old-people-drive-so-slow/108448/23 "2002-05-11T22:47:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by kiz \* > \*\* > > …not to mention fear of speed. I know several elderly people who are quite tentative when it comes to going anywhere over 40MPH, and yes, eyesight and reflexes might have a lot to do with it… \*\* Well, think about driving in a dense fog, or driving rain storm, or on ice. You cant see far ahead, and and you naturally slow down because you cant see , and you dont feel like you have complete control of your car. Its not something you think about, its just the natural reaction of being in that situation. So its not really fear of speed per-say, fear of more speed than they can safely deal with. Unfortunately, it sometimes is more dangerous going slow. ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMensch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@MonkeyMensch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMensch)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2002, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-old-people-drive-so-slow/108448/24 "2002-05-12T05:11:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pkbites \* > \*\* > All I wanted to know is, why do older drivers seem to insist to drive much slower that the flow. This is true even when the limit is slower. I see grandmas driving 20 in a 35, 30 in a 50, etc. > \*\* They’re not insisting on driving slower, but _choosing_ to drive slower. Since it’s legal, where’s the beef? I do acknowledge your awareness of teenagers being the greater threat to safety, however. ---
**Author:** ![heptapod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@heptapod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heptapod)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2002, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-old-people-drive-so-slow/108448/25 "2002-05-12T06:26:22Z")
The elderly drive so slow on the roads because it’s part of an elaborate conspiracy to make life miserable. Get stuck behind someone driving slow, get irritated, get to work and spread the mood around the office. Soon the entire building is in a poor mood which builds throughout the day and is reinforced during the afternoon commute. The elderly also do this when they complain about discrepencies on their bills or receipts that amount to _pennies_. The elderly push forward their great plan by paying for a week’s groceries with pocket change. Even worse when they know they’re going to pay by check but aren’t ready by the time they get to the cashier. Should you happen to speak out against them, treat them as an equal by honking your horn, flipping them off or urging them to hurry up they feign indignance and create a scene showing what a _terrible_ person you are for daring to be disrespectful to someone who had the sheer endurance to draw breath for seventy years. Know why the elderly are always wearing sunglasses, like those big wraparound glasses one could use to look directly at the sun without eye damage? They’re actually thralls of Zionist vampires who are working to undermine the foundation of our society which makes them sensitive to sunlight. The elderly must be stopped. They’re everywhere. The scary thing is… _ **eventually you’ll become one too!!!** _ ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2002, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-old-people-drive-so-slow/108448/26 "2002-05-12T06:27:23Z")
For cripes sake, people, I think **pkbites** has made it abundantly clear that he is not ranting and does not have a beef. Yes, old people choose to drive slower. The GQ is: HOW COME? My WAG: Because they are more aware of their impending mortaility than a youngster would be, and therefore choose to drive much more carefully. Personally, I tend to drive much slower and more carefully when young Whatsit Jr. is in the car. I also think that what **kniz** said about compensating for decline in driving skills makes a lot of sense. MrWhatsit has 20/400 vision in one eye as a result of cancer (now cured, thank the heavens), and tends to drive much more slowly than I do as a result. ---
**Author:** ![jsleek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8dc957/32.png) [@jsleek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsleek)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2002, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-old-people-drive-so-slow/108448/27 "2002-05-12T12:11:35Z")
I’m with bdgr and his analogy to driving in reduced visibility. When visibility is reduced to 50 feet, a rational person slows down. (Idiots drive like they always do, causing huge pileups every year or so.) I developed cataracts early, when I was 35. This is a completely cureable condition, but insurance companies won’t pay for it until it’s so advanced you can’t pass the DMV test. (That’s not an exaggeration. I flunked the DMV vision test long before the insurance would cover the operation.) The joke is, when you have bum vision, you can’t tell. At least I couldn’t tell. I knew others could see better, but I figured I was still ok. So take note. These slow drivers probably can’t see for beans, they don’t know they can’t see, and the treatment is denied them. Ya’ll drive carefull, now. ---
**Author:** ![occ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8c91f0/32.png) [@occ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/occ)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2002, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-old-people-drive-so-slow/108448/28 "2002-05-12T18:46:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ezstrete \* > \*\*Permit me to add one more thought to the discussion. > > Highway posted speed limits are actually that------limits! > > The maximum allowable speed on the road based on existing condition variables. > > No one is REQUIRED to drive at the posted speed--------but they are limited to that max MPH figure. > B] No offense, but I disagree. Yes, the posted speed limit is technically the speed you are legally allowed to drive. However, the reality is that people tend to drive at the speed they feel comfortable with on the road that they’re on. Around me, there are several stretches of interstate highway where the speed limit is still 55 miles-per. Nobody, and I do mean nobody, drives at 55; 65-70 is more the norm. The limit is still 55 for a number of political and bureaucratic reasons; lawmakers don’t want to propose raising the speed limit, because if there were an increase in accidents, they could take the blame. Police don’t ticket people for driving 65-70, because everyone does, and they understand the situation. In my opinion, speed limits are often used to keep speed in check, rather than ensure that every single driver stays below the posted limit. The posted minimum in most 55 mph areas is 40. Anyone going 40 on the interstate would draw the ire of most drivers, and for good reason: this is too slow, when everyone else is driving 65. Again, is every single driver on the road wrong, or is the posted speed limit unreasonable when taken literally? I’d submit that it’s the latter. ---
**Author:** ![broys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5e9695/32.png) [@broys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/broys)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2002, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-old-people-drive-so-slow/108448/29 "2002-05-12T23:02:07Z")
Not all old people are slow people. I was once passed by an 80 year old woman in a Town Car going at least 90mph. My grandparents actually seem to drive a little too fast, which is bad because my grandpa has poor hearing and not so good eyesight. The only thing that annoys me is the truck drivers who think they should pass the semi ahead of them. They get in the passing lane and only go 1 mph faster than the semi their passing, which takes forever to complete the pass, causing traffic to buildup like crazy. Which is bad because then people tailgate for miles, making accidents happen way too often. If they feel the need to pass, fine, but they better not cut me off to do it. And BTW, I’m not saying ALL truck drivers are inconsiderate or that they all do this. ---
**Author:** ![andy007](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/cc9497/32.png) [@andy007](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andy007)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-old-people-drive-so-slow/108448/30 "2015-10-09T09:39:07Z")
Where we live there are tons of old people driving. They never go fast enough, always well under the speed limit, drives me insane, at least do the limit, not HALF of it, i find it very dangerous. They should have a minor retest at say 70, just to test speed, parking and basics, not a full test as I’m sure we would all fail !:mad: ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-old-people-drive-so-slow/108448/31 "2015-10-09T10:30:45Z")
I am reminded of an old saw. (slightly paraphrased) There old drivers and there are bold drivers, but there are no old, bold drivers. Maybe the phenomenon is because large numbers of the speedy young motorists did not survive. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-old-people-drive-so-slow/108448/32 "2015-10-09T10:59:10Z")
In Australia there are plenty of learner drivers and P plate drivers who have restricted speed limits so it’s not just one group of slow drivers. Everyone just has to learn to cope with driving under circumstances where they will frequently come up behind slower moving vehicles. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-old-people-drive-so-slow/108448/33 "2015-10-09T11:04:06Z")
First of all, taking 13 years to join a thread is what I’d call slow. But secondly, I agree with **don’t ask**. I don’t see how it could be dangerous for someone to drive slowly. An inconvenience / annoyance maybe. But either it’s safe to overtake or it isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-old-people-drive-so-slow/108448/34 "2015-10-09T11:14:16Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > First of all, taking 13 years to join a thread is what I’d call slow. > > But secondly, I agree with **don’t ask**. I don’t see how it could be dangerous for someone to drive slowly. An inconvenience / annoyance maybe. But either it’s safe to overtake or it isn’t. The thread is 13 years old but The question is eternal. On our freeways, 3 to 4 lanes wide, there is generally heavy traffic going 70 to 80. Except for one person going 40 in any one of the lanes at random. That is definitely not safe. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-old-people-drive-so-slow/108448/35 "2015-10-09T11:17:46Z")
I was still in my 50s when this thread started; now I just turned 70. I admit my reflexes have slowed a little, and my attention span is a little shorter. But the only problem I have is in inclement weather at night, and of course on snow/ice. But in general I drive at the same (fast) speed I’ve always driven. I’ve only been in two (minor) accidents in my life, both side-impacted by the other cars. Both of my parents were conservative drivers. In fact, I don’t think my mom ever drove over 25. At least she only drove locally. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-old-people-drive-so-slow/108448/36 "2015-10-09T12:15:17Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Except for one person going 40 in any one of the lanes at random. That is definitely not safe. Sure, _driving in the wrong lane_ is not safe. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-old-people-drive-so-slow/108448/37 "2015-10-09T12:18:10Z")
I wanted to post in this thread back when it was active, and just now got around to it. No rush. ---
**Author:** ![Desert\_Nomad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desert_nomad/32/177_2.png) [@Desert\_Nomad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desert_Nomad)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-old-people-drive-so-slow/108448/38 "2015-10-09T12:25:13Z")
> [@Chris\_Luongo](#): > > If the driver from B prefers to drive slowly, she does not belong on a limited-access highway. Surely, there are local roads that would get her to her destination, with slower speeds. Around here, there are places you can only get to by driving on the interstate. I am in my low 40s and am in no hurry to get where I am going most of the time. I tend to drive the speed limit. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-old-people-drive-so-slow/108448/39 "2015-10-09T12:39:58Z")
I had an uncle who was notorious for driving slow. His top speed was 40mph, no matter what, and at speed limits lower than that, he consistently drove at least 10mph under it. From what I’d been told, he’d driven this way his entire life and made no apologies for it. People honked, yelled, and gestured at him all day long and he completely didn’t give a shit. He drove the way he was comfortable with and he didn’t care at all what effect it had on other drivers. After he passed away in his late 70s, his wife bought an Infiniti G35 and speeds around everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-old-people-drive-so-slow/108448/40 "2015-10-09T12:51:25Z")
Old people have older CPUs that run at a slower clock speed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-old-people-drive-so-slow/108448.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-old-people-drive-so-slow/108448.md?page=3)